Amartya Sen

Amartya Sen is celebrated for blending economics with ethics and philosophy.

Some of his landmark contributions: Social Choice Theory Built on and expanded Kenneth Arrow’s work. Explored how societies can make collective decisions that respect individual freedoms. Capability Approach Shifted focus from economic growth and income to “capabilities and freedoms” of individuals. Argued that true development means expanding people’s real opportunities to live the life they value. Work on Poverty and Famine In Poverty and Famines (1981), Sen showed that famine often happens not due to lack of food but due to lack of access to food caused by inequality and poor distribution. His Entitlement Theory became central to understanding hunger. Human Development Index (HDI) Collaborated with Mahbub ul Haq in designing the HDI, which the UNDP uses to measure development beyond GDP. \

Major Books Collective Choice and Social Welfare (1970) Poverty and Famines (1981) Development as Freedom (1999) The Argumentative Indian (2005) Identity and Violence (2006) The Idea of Justice (2009) Home in the World: A Memoir (2021)

 Awards and Honors Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (1998): For contributions to welfare economics and social choice theory. Bharat Ratna (1999): India’s highest civilian award. Order of Companion of Honour (2000): By the British government. Leontief Prize (2000), Eisenhower Medal (2000), National Humanities Medal (2012) among many others.